Speakers for laptop?

[Framar]

I finally succumbed to the temptation of joining Zoom for a concert last night and realized that the speakers on both of my laptops are virtually worthless.

The laptops (old Gateway and newer Lenovo) are both stationary - I keep them plugged in and in the same spots.

So what would be a good speaker for them? Over the years I have bought a couple of cheap little USB speakers which are both muted and scratchy.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Larry Peterson]

I haven't bought any speakers for awhile but there are plenty of reviews out there. Google 'best laptop usb speakers' or 'usb speaker reviews' for mega information overload. Of course your budget will have a lot to do with this. How much are you willing to spend?

 

[Framar]

How much am I willing to spend?

No more than $100.

Howzat?

 

[Mike Labbe]

If the laptop has Bluetooth ability, you could also use a wireless Bluetooth speaker. Many bluetooth speakers are fairly powerful and inexpensive.

Devices like Alexa and Google can also be used as a bluetooth speaker, if you already have one of those nearby.

Headphones are another option.

 

[Larry Peterson]

Do your laptops have a audio or AUX output? There are some $99 Bose that look good but need an audio or AUX output.

 

[Framar]

Where do I look for Bluetooth? My car seems to have it but not sure about either computer.

 

[Ylva]

For my laptop it is under 'settings' and then 'devices'

You should see an option to use bluetooth

 

[Framar]

No luck finding anything on the old laptop.

And I can't even find my own files on the new one (which is why I am still coaxing the old one along).

 

[Ylva]

Your old laptop might not be bluetooth, but your new one should.

I don't know what system you're on, I just bought a new laptop and still learning all the ins and outs, but things are easy to find.
Where do you save your files to?
I

 

[Framar]

I have all my files backed up on a Seagate stand alone hard drive and followed all the instructions to transfer them to the new laptop. I have spent 20 years organizing my files - I have thousands of photos, and they were all filed by date taken and many were duplicated in special named file folders.

On the new laptop it looks like they were shot in there like leaves from a leafblower. Takes me pages of clicking to find them. Only have any remote semblance of luck if I know the actual name of the jpg. Which is what I use the old laptop for - sigh.

I really ought to pay someone to do this properly.

 

[Ylva]

If the image itself does not contain the date, then yes, it would probably be all over the place. I have the same with very old photos (where there really is no coding) and the new ones fall into place as they should.
Makes for an interesting timeline sometimes.

 

[Peter Odems]

No streaming capabilities?

 

[Framar]

Streaming would be coming through the laptops, with their lousy speakers. I don't run things through my TV.

 

[Framar]

I did a bit of research and just ordered a set of speakers that clips onto the top or sides of the laptop. USB powered - and cost less than $25. So I will report back on how they perform once they arrive. I like the fact that they need have no footprint on my cramped workspace - plus I can switch them back and forth between laptops.

 

[Framar]

Holy cowabunga!

New speakers are FABULOUS!

Now if only I had a more stable internet connection and higher bandwidth.

Oh well, at least I can listen to my own music very nicely now.

 

[Ylva]

That is awesome! Glad they are all you hoped for and then some.